Method of Production of Methanol Using CO2 and H2

ABSTRACT

Utilizing the common knowledge formula for creation of methanol CO 2 +3H 2 →CH 3 OH+H 2 O; for each mole of carbon dioxide, three moles of hydrogen are needed to produce one equivalent unit of methanol. Therefore, it is possible to produce over one-half gallon of methanol from one kilogram of carbon dioxide. 
     Combining the two gases and producing methanol can be accomplished under high pressure (about 3250 psi) and high temperature (750-degree Fahrenheit heat) without the presence of a catalyst. Throughout this process, auto-ignition for methanol is 867-degree Fahrenheit (or 464° C.) and auto-ignition for hydrogen is 932-degree Fahrenheit (or 500° C.). After mixing two gases in the mixing chamber, the result is methanol and water. The first step in this stage is to cool the substance by way of cooling tower and pressure lowering tank. Next is a separation process to separate methanol and water. By cooling the substance\mixture about 28.4-degree Fahrenheit (−2 Celsius), the water will freeze, turning in to an ice and ice will be removed from methanol mechanically. Water and methanol then will be stored in appropriate tanks.

INTRODUCTION

I, Hagop Misirian, citizen of the United States of America, residing in the city of Santa Ana, California, have invented a new and useful one-line diagram (FIG. 1) concept and gas mixing apparatus (FIG. 2) which will help to achieve mass production of methanol, comprising carbon dioxide (CO₂) and hydrogen (H₂). Carbon dioxide and hydrogen are produced at a separate location. The produced methanol then can be converted into a hydro-carbon fuel, which is equivalent to regular unleaded gasoline.

The method for production of carbon dioxide to be used in this mass production has been filed as a separate patent (Application title “METHOD OF PRODUCTION OF CARBON DIOXIDE(CO₂) USING LIME TO LIMESTONE CHEMICAL REACTION” application Ser. No. 15/483,377) by me (Hagop Misirian).

DESCRIPTION

In order to utilize the common knowledge formula for creation of methanol CO₂+3H₂→CH₃OH+H₂O (for each mole of carbon dioxide, three moles of hydrogen are needed to produce one equivalent unit of methanol); the one-line diagram shall be followed per FIG. 1. First, supply tanks (Item-1 and Item-2 in FIG. 1; which consist of 14-inch diameter, 80 schedule stainless steel pipes, 25 feet high, wrapped around with electrical heating coils.

Renewable electrical power source will be used in this case). Supply tank shall be pressurized as follows: for the hydrogen (H₂), Item-2 in FIG. 1, the inside air shall be replaced by the hydrogen first. Hydrogen shall be loaded from the top of the tank. Due to the reason that hydrogen is lighter than air, hydrogen will stay on top. By continuous, gradual loading, the air will be replaced completely with hydrogen. Next, the air drainage valve (at the lower elevation of the tank) shall be closed and continue pressurizing about 3250 psi. After pressurizing is complete, the tank shall be heated about 750-degree Fahrenheit (398.9 Celsius or 672 Kelvin).

Loading carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the storage tank, Item-1 in FIG. 1, can be accomplished the opposite way, due to the reason that carbon dioxide is heavier than air. Pressurizing and heating can be accomplished same way as the hydrogen storage tank.

The mixing chamber apparatus (Item-3 in FIG. 1 and also detailed in FIG. 2) operates as follows. First, for each unit volume of carbon dioxide (CO₂), the appropriate volume of hydrogen (H₂) shall be determined for the mixing process (for each mole of carbon dioxide, three moles of hydrogen). In this case, six-inch diameter 80 schedule stainless steel pipe is used. By applying the Ideal Gas Law and then the Universal Gas Law (the volume of the gas is directly proportional to the number of molecules of gas if temperature and pressure are kept constant) for two feet long pipe volume of carbon dioxide (CO₂), appropriate volume of hydrogen (H₂) is calculated. Per FIG. 2, for carbon dioxide (CO₂), 80 schedule six inches diameter and two feet long stainless-steel pipe (Item-3), appropriate volume or length of the pipe for hydrogen (H₂) is equal to two feet multiplying with multiplier of 3.01. In FIG. 2, the depicted mixing chamber consists of a 2-feet long (Item-3 in FIG. 2) and 6.02 feet long pipe (Item-7 in FIG. 2), connected with six-inch diameter gate valve (Item-5 in FIG. 2).

Prior loading the gases in to the mixing chamber, the inside air shall be replaced with carbon dioxide (CO₂) and hydrogen (H₂). Item-5 in FIG. 2, the six-inch diameter gate valve is closed; at the same time, Item-4 in FIG. 2 (carbon dioxide (CO₂) initial loading valve) and Item-2 in FIG. 2, is opened. Item-2 in FIG. 2 is an air drainage valve. Item-1 in FIG. 2 is closed at this time. Gradually the inside air will be replaced with CO₂. When air is removed, Item-2 and Item-4 in FIG. 2 is closed and Item-3 in FIG. 2 is loaded about 3250 psi CO₂ from Item-1 valve in FIG. 2. Next, replacing air with hydrogen (H₂), Item-5 in FIG. 2, the six-inch diameter gate valve and Item-9 in FIG. 2 close. Item-6 and Item-8 in FIG. 2 are open. When air removal is complete, Item-8, air drainage valve in FIG. 2 is closed. After loading completion with hydrogen (H₂), the mixing chamber is ready for the mixing reaction (all valves are closed at this stage). At this time, Item-5 in FIG. 2, the six-inch diameter gate valve, will be opened. Subsequently, the two pipes will convert into one continues pipe, with carbon dioxide (CO₂) on top and hydrogen (H₂) below. Natural mixing will follow due to gravitational difference, as carbon dioxide (CO₂) will move down and hydrogen (H₂) will move up. The duration of mixing is about 30 seconds. After the mixing is completed, Item-9 valve in FIG. 2 opens and the newly created substances (methanol and water) discharge from the mixing chamber to the Item-4 and Item-5 in FIG. 1.

Prior reloading a mixing chamber, following shall be completed. Item-3 in FIG. 2 shall be replaced with carbon dioxide (CO₂) and then close Item-5 in FIG. 2 (gate valve); continue pressurizing. Next, prior to closing Item-9 in FIG. 2, hydrogen (H₂) shall be reload in the Item-7, gradually pushing down residual created substances (methanol and water) and then close the Item-9 in FIG. 2; continue pressurizing. The same loading and discharging will be repeated continuously.

From the mixing chamber, the discharged substance will move to Item-4 in FIG. 1 (cooling tower) and then Item-5 in FIG. 1 (pressure lowering tank about 2 psi).

Next, Item-6 in FIG. 1, a methanol and water separation tank, has a temperature of about 28-degree Fahrenheit (−2 Celsius), where water will convert into ice and be removed from methanol mechanically. Water and methanol then will be stored in appropriate tanks Item-7 in FIG. 1.

EXAMPLE

Calculation for a length of the pipe for a carbon dioxide (CO₂) and a hydrogen (H₂) of mixing apparatus under a same temperature and pressure.

First, define volume for the carbon dioxide (CO₂). Used piping in this case is 80 schedule stainless steel for the two gases. Pipe diameter shall be the same for two gases. Due to the reason that mixing apparatus valve opens and closes about every fifteen to thirty seconds, valve operational life expectancy is an issue and smaller diameter valves will last longer. Next, define a diameter and length for the carbon dioxide (CO₂) and volume. For an optimum mixing result, a length for the carbon dioxide (CO₂) pipe may have to be same as inside diameter of the chosen pipe. In this stage, it is possible to calculate volume for the carbon dioxide (CO₂). Per the following formula;

CO₂+3H₂→CH₃OH +H₂O

for each mole of carbon dioxide and three moles of hydrogen; calculate the moles of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in this volume under same pressure and temperature.

By applying the Ideal Gas Law and then the Universal Gas Law (the volume of the gas is directly proportional to the number of molecules of gas if temperature and pressure are kept constant).

PV=nRT subsequently n=PV/RT

where

P is pressure

V is volume

n is the number of moles

R is the universal gas constant

T is temperature

After calculating number of molecules (n) in carbon dioxide (CO2), subsequently (n) for the hydrogen (H2) is three times more.

When (n) is plugged in for hydrogen (H2); V=nRT/P and after (V) volume for hydrogen (H2) is calculated, length for the hydrogen (H2) pipe can be calculated.

LIST OF FIGURES AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1: Diagram Outlining Production Plant (one-line diagram)

Item-1 and Item-2, storage tanks for hydrogen and carbon dioxide gas. They are 14-inch diameter, 80 schedule stainless steel pipes, and are 25 feet high, wrapped around with electrical heating coils.

Item-3, mixing chamber. where the reaction between hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide gas takes place

Item-5 depicts the pressure reduction tank

Item-6 depicts a separation tank for methanol and water with operating temperature of −2 degrees Celsius

Item-7 depicts two separate storage tanks for methanol and water

FIG. 2: Diagram of the Mixing Chamber with detail

Item-1 depicts a valve for the CO₂ supply line

Item-2 depicts an air drainage valve only

Item-3 depicts an 80 schedule, 6-inch diameter, 2-feet long stainless-steel pipe

Item-4 depicts a valve from the CO₂ tank at the time of the replacement of air with CO₂

Item-5 depicts a 6-inch diameter gate valve

Item-6 depicts a loading valve for hydrogen or contents from Item-7

Item-7 depicts an 80 schedule, 6-inch diameter, 6.02 feet long stainless-steel pipe

Item-8 depicts the air drainage valve to replace air with hydrogen

Item-9 depicts the drainage pipe for the products of the chemical reaction

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Optimum pressure and temperature for mixing hydrogen and carbon dioxide gases are unknown at this time. Additionally, for the mixing chamber apparatus, optimum geometric dimensions are unknown.

This method does not need a catalyst and does not create leftover byproducts.

Using this fuel for internal combustion engines will have zero impact to the environment. It works as follows: Assuming hydrogen is created via electrolysis (water and electricity) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) is removed from the air. At the time of fuel combustion, carbon dioxide (CO₂) will be released back to the atmosphere. Hydrogen (H₂) is created by electrolysis and oxygen is released to the atmosphere. At the time of the fuel usage, oxygen will be used for combustion, creating zero impact to the environment. 

1. Method of increasing pressure and temperature for carbon dioxide and hydrogen up to the mixing range at the supply tanks; prior to utilizing a mixing chamber for mixing the gasses.
 2. Method of utilizing a mixing chamber which will allow continuous mixing of the two gases together and achieve continuous production of methanol.
 3. Method of separation for produced substances: methanol and water. 